[Anon], ‘Beauty of Design in Machinery’

The concept of beauty in the design of machinery had been exercising minds for much of the nineteenth century. The only beauty attempted was that which the stringent application of mechanical science to the material world could supply; and in the truthfulness, perseverance, and severity with which that idea was carried out, there was developed a style of art at once national and grand. Extraneous decoration, such as detached filagree work of iron, or painting in colours, is so repulsive to the taste of the true engineer and mechanic that it is unnecessary to speak against it. Some engineers even look upon beauty of design with a certain amount of disfavor. The best draftsmen are never satisfied with present attainments, but are constantly seeking to improve their designs as regards beauty of form and efficiency in work; it therefore follows that every fresh effort raises the standard.